Reversible seat



ugw W, 394. E. BUKER REVERSIBLE SEAT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original FiledDec. s, 1943 E. BUKER REVERSIBLE SEAT Aug, 10, 1948.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 3. 1943 H "NEG NQWSA nNOQm 44 Aug. 10, 1948. E. Bum 2,446,9 6

REVERSIBLE SEAT 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Dec. 5. 1945 mLL $1515 I will W E. BU'KER REVERSIBLE SEAT Aug. 1Q, 1948.

Original Filed Dec. 5, 1945 4 SheetsShe'et 4 Patented Aug. 10, 1948 REVERSIBLE SEAT Edward Buker, Tarpon Springs, Fla., assignor to Coach &'Car Equipment Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Continuation of application Serial No. 512,692, December 3, 1943. This application October 29, 1946, Serial No. 706,489

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in revoluble seat structures suitable for use in railway passenger cars and similar situations where it is desirable to arrange one side of the seat in close relation to a side wall of the car and to reverse the 'se at from time to time so that it will normally face in either of two directions.

I he revoluble seats heretofore used have ineluded manually operable locking means for holding the revoluble portion of the seat in either of its two operating positions. Such locking ineans usually include foot operated levers or other devices operated independently of the movernent of the seat. Such locking devices, therefore, add to the cost of manufacture of the seat structure and are otherwise unsatisfactory since they require service from time to time to replace broken and worn parts and, due to their position near the floor level, interfere with the cleaning of the floor.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved revoluble seat structure in which the revoluble portion of the seat will automatically be locked in or released from its normal operative positions by the movement of the seat to and from said positions.

A further and more specific object is to provide, in a seat structure of the above general class, a means providing a movable locking connection between the revoluble portion of the seat and a fixed, base whereby the revoluble portion of the seat is held firmly in position against any forces tending to tilt it relative to the base and whereby application of pressure against the front and back portions of the seat will not release it from its normal operative positions.

The invention, briefly described, includes the provision of a seat portion supported on a fixed base with capacity for combined lateral and revoluble movements, whereby the seat may be normally positioned in close relation to the wall, but may be moved outwardly therefrom to provide the necessary clearance to permit the seat to be reversed by rotating it about its vertical axis.

The combined movements of the seat portion are caused to follow a predetermined path by means of a pair of link members operating in a horizontal plane and connecting the movable seat with the base. A horizontal web portion of the base is formed with an opening, the edges of which have a contour corresponding to the path of movement of the revoluble seat portion. The edges of said opening cooperate with a stud, carried by the seat and connecting with the vertical axis thereof, to provide a movable interlock between the movable seat and the fixed base,

whereby the seat is positively held against vertical and tilting movements relative to the base.

The path of movement of the movable seat, as controlled by said pivoted links, is such that when the seat is moved from one operative position to another, the vertical axis thereof describes arcs which intersect at a predetermined pont. The pivoted link connections function to impart reverse rotation to the seat as its vertical axis passes from one side to the other of said intersection.

When the seat portion is in either of its two normal operative positions, its vertical axis is positioned at one side of the intersection point in the said path of travel. Consequently, the initial lateral movement of the seat to move it outwardly from the wall is coupled with a rotational movement in one direction. As soon as the vertical axis of the seat passes through said point of intersection, the pivoted links function to compel reverse rotation of the seat until the cycle of operation again moves the said vertical axis through said point of intersection. It will be seen, therefore, that movement of the seat from one position to another, involves two reverses in the direction of rotation, to-Wit: During the initial or releasing movement of the seat from its operative position, it is rotated in one direction, then reversed for the major portion of the cycle and then again reversed during the final or locking movement.

The present invention, therefore, includes as one of its specific objects the provision of a revoluble seat structure, constructed and operating as above described, whereby the final movement of the seat to its operative positions moves one of the pivoted links into a position whereby it cooperates with other parts of the structure, to-wit, the other link and co-engaging stop and abutment surfaces to lock the seat in an operative position.

The invention is illustrated in one preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a railway car seat constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the seat shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 show the various positions assumed by the seat when reversing it from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the seat supporting irame showing the position of the frame rela- 3 tive to the base when the seat is in the position indicated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary View illustrating the relative position of the parts for effecting the interlock between the seat and the base When the seat is in theposition shown in Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. '7 but illustrating the seat frame and associated parts in the position which it assumes during the initial or releasing movement of the seat from its locked position.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig, 9 butshowing the seat supporting frame in a.position Whichit assumes when the seat is in the position indicated in Fig. 13.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentaryplan view illustratin the position of the links and associatedelements when the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a, vertical section through the fixed base and the seat supporting frame, the section being taken on line I2l2 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 13 is a plan view similar to Fig. 9 but illustrating the position assumed by the parts imniediately prior to the movement of the seat into the position shown in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 14 is a view showing the position of the parts when the seat is in the said position indicated in Fig. 6.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive:

The seat is illustrated in the form of a double passenger car seat with one side face of the seat arranged inclose relation ,to a side wall to of .the ar- .It scom d eral o a ba m mbe I adapted to .be fixed to the fioor and a revoluble se rq t i n ll u q on the b T e S portion [2 includes a. rectangular frame 13 which seatson the upper surface of thebase. Preferably, the weight of the frame is such astoniinirnize friction between the frame and base and the width of the frame is such as to provide a firm non-tilting support on the base I}. The frame I3 is movably attached to the base H by meansof apair of reversinglinks 4 and J5. The said links are pivoted at their remote ends Iii-47, respectively, ,to a reinforcing web i8 extending across the base so as to swing in a horizontal plane. The swinging ends of the links are pivotally connected at {9 and .20 to arms 2.l 22 of a cross-beam 23 extending from side to side of the frame l3. Preferably the said adjacent ends of the links are attached to the said beam 2 3 at lqpationsrelativelyclose to axis 2;! of the rotating seat. The effective length of each link is greater than .one-half the distance between the pivots |6I 7. It will beseen, therefore, that when the revoluble seat portion is in the position show in 9, the verticalaxis 24 of the seatis positioned at the intersection of a line 25 passing through the f xed pivots 16-47 and a line 25a passing through the movable pivots I9 and zfl. The particular arrangement of the said links I4,l so controlthe path of movement that the vertical axisofthe seat will follow a predetermined path. In order to provide a movable interlocking connectionbetween the base and the movable seat portion, the web [8 0f the base is formed with an openingZB, th edges of which correspond tothe contour of the path of movement indicated by broken line 27, which is followed by the vertical axis 24 of the seat. A stud 28, coinciding with the said axis '24. has rolling contact with theedge of opening '26 andis formed. with a head portion 29 which projects beneath the web 18 of the base along the margins of the opening 26 soas to prevent all vertical and tilting movements of the seat relative to the base.

When the seat is in one fixed position, a stop surface On a moving part of the structure, for example the outer surface of the stud 28, en-

.gagesan .abutrnent positionedon the base, for

1'7 anddthe vertical axis 24 (Fig. 9) crosses the intersection of the path of travel 27. Consequently,;the:links :M-and l5 assume positions in which their longitudinal centers have moved from the parallelalignment shown in Fig. 9 to the angular position shown in Fig. '7, whereby the angularity of the links relative to the line 25 and to each otheris such as toprevent theseat frpm being rlsased b Pr s r ap lied theret in-ihe direction of thearrow indicated atn in Fig. 7. When it is desired to release the seat from the above locked position, a pulling force is applied in the direction of the aisle, asindicated byarrow B in Fig. '7. During ,the application ,of this force, thecurvature of the recess ,Qflpflthe opening -26 reacts against thestud 2 8 so as to serve a awn fp h p vq fid l kl fromth osition indicated in Fig. 7 to the osit on. s own .in haw 2 s a rot t ona movement i r 0 he ea whe e ytbelipe.Zfi passin through the moveable pivots 2 0 2I assumes a position a ri ht an e t the li pa sin throu h,thefixsr r vo s 1 frqm thi p sition the rotational movementpf theframe can then h fi e sd followthe qire io ind ca d by the arrows in Figs. 3, 5 and 9 to the,p0sition indicated in Fig. 6.

When the re ersin m ve entp t esea riesit tothe position indicated in Fig. 6, the stu d 2 8 n'1oves int o therecess 3] .of the opening 25 so as toabntagainst the edges thereof ,and, lock the seat in this position. In assuming ,this position of the seat, the links 1 4 and lfihas previously decr b d a s m po it o 1 i h the one itudinal centers are moved .out of the parallel alignment of Fig. 13 .to the vangular positions shown ,in Fig. 14, whereby the .angularityof -.the links 14 and 15 relative to ,line ,25 and -to.each other issueh that they will resistturning of-the seat when applied against the side .of .the seat in the direction indicated by arrow 0 in Fig. 14. It willbe seen thatduring partof -.the movement of the frame l,2 from the .position indicated in Fig. 2 .to the position indicated in Fig. 6, the link 14 takes the lead for the entire movement. However, in reversing the seat from the position indicated in Fig. 14, the link l 5 would lead in the entire movement.

This application is a continuation .of my.copending application Serial 512,692, filed December 3, 1943 (abandoned Decemberfi, 1946).

I vclaim:

.1. ,In ,a reversible seat structure, a base member, a seat member revoluble about a vertical axis and slidably supported on said base member and adapted during the reversing movement to follow acurved path, the opposite end portions of which intersect at a common point, means for controlling said path of movement comprising a pair of links arranged in overlapped relation and having their overlapped ends pivotally attached to e eat mem g atq i s d of aid e tical axis at equal distances therefrom and on a line passing therethrough and having their remote ends pivotally attached to the base at opposite sides of said intersection in said path of travel at equal distances therefrom and on a line passing therethro-ugh, a trackway on the base conforming in contour to said path of travel, a stud depending from the seat member in axial alignment with the said vertical of the seat member and arranged to engage the said trackway, there being a head on said stud which projects beneath said trackway for preventing vertical and tilting movements of the seat member relative to the base.

2. In a reversible seat structure, a base member, a seat member revoluble about a vertical axis and slidably supported on said base member and adapted during the reversing movement to follow a curved path, the opposite end portions of which intersect at a common point, means for controlling said path of movement comprising a pair of links arranged in overlapped relation and having their overlapped ends pivotally attached to the seat member at opposite sides of said vertical axis at equal distances therefrom and on a line passing therethrough and having their remote ends pivotally attached to the base at opposite sides of said intersection in said path of travel at equal distances therefrom and on a line passing therethrough, the said base being formed with a web having an opening therein, the edge of Which provides a trackway conforming in contour to said path of travel, a stud depending from the seat member in axial alignment with said vertical axis of the seat member and arranged to engage the said trackway, there being a head on the said stud which projects beneath said web of the base to prevent vertical and tilting movements of the seat member relative to the base, and the said trackway being formed adjacent the extremities of said path of travel to provide a pocket for receiving said stud and for limiting the movement of the seat member.

3. In a reversible seat structure, a base member, a seat member revoluble about a vertical axis and slidably supported on said base member and adapted during the reversing movement to follow a curved path, the opposite end portions of which intersect at a common point, means for controlling said path of movement comprising a pair of links arranged in overlapped relation and having their overlapped ends pivotally attached to the seat member at opposite sides of said vertical axis at equal distances therefrom and on a line passing therethrough and having their remote ends pivotally attached to the base at opposite sides of said intersection in said path of travel at equal distances therefrom and on a line passing therethrough, a stop surface on a moving part of said structure, and an abutment positioned on the base member for holding engagement with said stop surface only when said vertical axis of the seat member is positioned intermediate one end portion of the said curved path and the said intersection in said path of travel.

4. In a reversible seat structure, a base member, a seat member revoluble about a vertical axis and slidably supported on said base member and adapted during the reversing movement to follow a curved path, the opposite end portions of which intersect at a common point, means for controlling said path of movement comprising a pair of links arranged in overlapped relation and having their overlapped ends pivotally attached to the seat member at opposite sides of said vertical axis at equal distances therefrom and on a line passing therethrough and having their remote ends pivotally attached to the base at opposite sides of said intersection in said path of travel at equal distances therefrom and on a line passing therethrough, abutment means on the base member at one side of the intersection in said path of travel, and a stop having a fixed relation to said vertical axis and moveable by movement of the seat member, into engagement with said abutment means when said axis moves to a position intermediate said abutment means and the intersection in said path of travel.

5. In a reversible seat structure, a base member, a seat member revoluble about a vertical axis and slidably supported on said base member and adapted during the reversing movement to follow a curved path, the opposite end portions of which intersect at a common point, means for controlling said path of movement comprising a pair of links arranged in overlapped relation and having their overlapped ends pivotally attached to the seat member at opposite sides of said vertical axis at equal distances therefrom and on a line passing therethrough and having their remote ends pivotally attached to the base at opposite sides of said intersection in said path of travel at equal distances therefrom and on a line passing therethrough, abutment means on the base at one side of said intersection, and a stud on the seat member in a fixed position relative to said vertical axis and moveable, by the movement of the seat member into engagement with said abutment means only when said axis moves to a position intermediate said abutment means and the said intersection in said path of travel.

EDWARD BUKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,826,532 Small Oct. 6, 1931 2,123,927 Bell July 19, 1938 2,124,501 Willoughby July 19, 1938 2,148,187 Burnham Feb. 21, 1939 

